Northumbria police voluntarily referring an allegation of excessive use of force to the IPCC

Northumbria Police is voluntarily referring an allegation of excessive use of force to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

This relates to an arrest of a male on Stanhope Road, South Shields in the early hour of Friday 29th July and a video of the incident that was later posted on Facebook.

Southern Area Commander Chief Superintendent Ged Noble said: “We have taken the decision to voluntarily refer this matter to the Independent Police Complaints Commission because we are an open and transparent Police Force.

“We also want to reassure all sections of our communities that this investigation will be managed independently and impartially. The decision to voluntarily refer the matter should not be interpreted as a finding of wrongdoing that is for the IPCC to establish.

“But I am very aware of the concerns that have been raised in social media and the potential impact, this could have with public confidence, which is something that we take very seriously. This is why we have taken the decision today to make this.”